Match holder



July 4, 1939. c. E. BERG MATCH HOLDER Filed Aug. 27, '1957 Patented July4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ics Application August 27,

13 Claims.

This invention is a device adapted to be removably attached to thestandard commercial type of cigarette package, and so constructed andarranged as to removably support a book of matches of a character whichis now in common use.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a match carrier ofsimple construction, having a portion capable of being slipped betweenthe outer wrapping of a cigarette package and the label which usuallygirds said package, and another cooperating portion adapted to engage anend of the package, so that the holder is lirmly attached to the latter,one of said portions having means for removably supporting a packet ofmatches. A further object is to provide a holder of the charactermentioned in which theftwo portions are arranged in overlapped relationbut separably connected so that they may be readily applied to andremoved from the package.l A further object is to provide simple meansfor removably supporting a book of matches in a position covering oneside of the package without interfering with the handling of the latteror the dispensing of cigarettes therefrom.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a commercial type cigarettepackage with the invention applied thereto. Figures 2 and 3 are frontand rear views respectively of one of the two members of the deviceillustrated in Figure 1. Figures 4 and 5 are front and rear views of theother member. Figure 6 Yis a front view illustrating the parts inassembled relation. Figure 7 is an edge view of Figure 6. Figure 8 is alongitudinal sectional view on the line 8 8, Figure 6.

Referring to the drawing, A conventionally illustrates the ordinary typeof commercial cigarette package, which is shown with one corner torn off(as indicated at B), so as to expose the cigarettes C in a mannercommonly practiced by cigarette users. Surrounding the package is alabel D, which is usually in the form of a band which girdles thepackage, and has its ends attached to each other by paste or the like.

The holder of the present invention comprises two separable members Eand F, respectively, each constructed of sheet-like material possessinga certain amount of rigidity, preferably thin sheet metal. The member Eis provided with two laterally spaced tongue-like members II), formed bybending strips of metal back parallel with one tace of the main portionof the member, the edge 1937, serial No. 161,325

' (o1. y20e- 48) of the metal between the tongues being bent over .asindicated at I I, to provide a guard which normally overlaps and restsupon the adjacent end of the package, as clearly illustrated in Figurel. The side edges of the member E are also bent laterally inward overthe other face of member E to provide flanges I2, which are adapted toremovably receive the flexible cover of a book of paper matches of avery well known type now in general use.

The member F is provided with a reduced portion I3 adapted to slidebeneath the flanges I2, and at the lower edge is provided with anangular flange I4 which is adapted to overlap the adjacent end of thepackage A. The edge of the flange I4 is provided with teeth I5 adaptedto engage the adjacent portion of the cover of the package A, so as toprevent slipping of the match holder while engaged to the package.

In order that the two members E and F may be normally and releasablyretained in assembled relation, one of them is provided with slots andthe other with a tongue complemental to the slots to be engagedtherewith for the purpose stated. For purposes of illustration, andwithout intent to limit the invention, the member E is shown with two ofsaid slots indicated by the numeral I6, the wall above each slot andcontiguous thereto being bent slightly inwardly as indicated at II. Themember F is also provided with a similar slot I8 near its upper edge,the offset portion I9 forming a tongue which will be brought intoengagement with either of the slots I6, by any slidable movement tendingto separate the guard II and ilange I4. The upper edge of the member Eis also preferably slightly bowed outwardly, as indicated at 20, so thatthe edge may be readily caught by the finger of the operator to lift thetongue I1 out of engagement with either oi" the slots I6.

In practice, the tongues I0 of the member E are inserted between thelabel D and the pack- .age A by a downward movement from the top of thepackage, the tongues being of suilicient length to extend approximatelythe full length of the package, while the guard II is engaged with thepackage A. The member E is then slid beneath the flanges I2 until theteeth I5 of the flange I4 engage the bottom of the package. The slots I6and I'I of member E are so located that when the parts have reached thepositions above described, the tongue I9 of member F will be inengagement with one of them, so that separation of the two members isnormally prevented. Thus, the package is engaged by the tongues I0,

Il I.)

the guard flange II and the flange I4 by clamping engagement and thedevice cannot be removed without first raising the upper end of themember F suiiiciently to disengage the tongue I9v from the slot I6. Thisis conveniently done by inserting the end of the finger back of thebowed portion 2E, and lifting the top edge of member F outwardly. It isobvious that upon release of the two members from their lockingengagement they may be readily separated by a sliding movement,preparatory to engaging the device with a new package of cigarettes.

The packet of matches indicated at F is retained in place by slipping aportion of the cover thereof beneath the flanges I2 and over theadjacent face of the members E and F, the packet being held in closedposition by passing the edges of the usual friction strip also beneaththe flanges I2, so that when it is desired to use the matches it is onlynecessary to disengage the friction portion from the flanges I2 torelease the packet, permitting it to be opened in a manner to expose thematches for ready access. v

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art to which it belongs. An important advantage is that avery simple and inexpensive device is provided which may be readilyattached to the usual type of commercial cigarette package, and in suchmanner as to practically become a unitary portion thereof as long as thepackage contains cigarettes. Another advantage is that it stiifens thepackage in such manner that the cigarettes may be readily dispensed inthe .usual manner without any diiiiculty, and after the package isexhausted the device may be readily attached to a fresh package. Afurther advantage is that the matches are also conveniently supported,so as to be readily available, thereby providing a unit assembly ofgreat convenience.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described anoperative manner of contructing and using the same, although withoutattempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or allof the forms of its use, what is claimed is:

1. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable atmembers of sheet-like material arranged with adjacent ends in overlappedrelation, the outer end of one of said members having means forreleasably engaging one end of a cigarette package, the outer end of theother member having means for releasably engaging the other end of saidpackage, one of said members having means for support-ing matches, saidmembers having complemental interlocking means for maintaining them innormally fixed overlapped relation.

2. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable flatmembers of sheet-like material arranged with adjacent inner ends inovelapped relation, the outer end of one of said members having meansadapted to be inserted between an adjacent portion of a cigarettepackage and the band-like label which normally girds said packages, theouter end of the other member having means for releasably engaging theadjacent end of the package, one of said members having means forsupporting matches, said members having complemental interlocking meansfor maintaining them in normally fixed overlapped relation.

3. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable liatmembers of Sheet-like material arranged with adjacent inner ends inoverlapped relation, the outer end of one of said members having tonguesextended downwardly from one end thereof and parallel thereto, saidtongues being adapted to be inserted between an adjacent portion of acigarette package and the band-like label which normally girds suchpackages, the outer end of the other member having means for releasablyengaging the adjacent end of said package, one of said members alsohaving means for supporting matches, said members having complementalinterlocking means for maintaining them in normally Xed overlappedrelation.

4. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable flatmembers of sheet-like material arranged with adjacent inner ends inoverlapped relation, the outer end of one of said members having tonguesextended downwardly from one end thereof and parallel thereto, saidtongues being adapted to be inserted between an adjacent portion of acigarette package and the band-like label which normally girds suchpackages, said member also having a guard portion interposed betweensaid tongues and adapted to overlap one end of said package, the outerend of the other member having means for releasably engaging theadjacent end of said package, one of said members also having means forsupporting matches, said members having complemental interlocking meansfor maintaining them in normally fixed overlapped relation.

5. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable flatmembers of sheet-like material arranged with adjacent inner ends inoverlapped relation, the outer end of one of said members having meansfor releasably engaging the wrapping of a cigarette package at one endof the latter, the outer end of the other member having an angularportion so positioned as to overlap and engage the other end of saidpackage, one of said members having means for supporting matches, saidmembers having complementa] interlocking means for maintaining them innormally fixed overlapped relation.

6. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable flatmembers of sheet-like material arranged with adjacent inner ends inoverlapped relation, the outer end of one of said members having, meansfor releasably engaging r a cigarette package, the outer end of theother member having an angular portion so positioned as to overlapy andengage the adjacent end of said package, said angular. portion havingteeth adapted to engage the wrapping of the package, one of said membersalso having means for supporting matches, said members havingcomplemental interlocking means for maintaining them in normally fixedoverlapped relation.

7. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable ilatmembers of sheet-like material arranged with adjacent inner ends inoverlapped relation, the outer end of one of said members having meansadapted to be inserted between an adjacent portion of a cigarettepackage and the band-like label which normally girds said package, theouter end of the other member having an angular portion positioned tooverlap and engage the adjacent end of said package, one ci said membersalso having means for supporting matches, said members havingcomplemental interlocking means for maintaining them in normally xedoverlapped relation.

8. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two separable ilatmembers of sheet-like material arranged with adjacent inner ends inoverlapped relation, the outer end of one of said members having tonguesextended downwardly therefrom and parallel therewith, said tongues beingadapted to be inserted between an adjacent portion of a cigarettepackage and the bandlike label which normally girds such packages, theouter end of the other member having an angular portion positioned tooverlap and engage the adjacent end of said package, one of said membersalso having means for supporting matches, said members havingcomplementa] interlocking means for maintaining them in normally fixedoverlapped relation 9. A match holder for cigarette packages comprisingtwo separable flat members of sheet-like material arranged with adjacentinner ends in overlapped relation, the outer end of one of said membershaving means for releasably engaging a cigarett-e package, the outer endof the other member also having means for releasably engaging adjacentportion of said package, one oi said members having means for supportingmatches, one of said members having a slot and the other member acomplemental lug so constructed and arranged as to normally maintainsaid members in overlapped relation.

10. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two flat membersseparably arranged with adjacent inner ends in overlapped relation, theouter end of one of said members having means adapted to be insertedbetween an adjacent portion of a cigarette package and the band-likelabel which normally girds said package, the outer end of the othermember having an angular portion positioned to overlap and engage theadjacent end of said package, one oi' said members also having means forsupporting matches, one of said members having a slot and the othermember a complemental lug engageable with said slot so constructed andarranged as to normally maintain said members in overlapped relation.

ll. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two flat membersseparably arranged with adjacent inner ends in overlapped relation, theouter end of one of said members having tongues extended downwardly andparallel therewith, said tongues being adapted to be inserted between anadjacent portion of a cigarette package and the band-like label whichnormally girds such packages, the outer end of the other member havingan angular portion positioned to overlap and engage the adjacent end ofsaid package, one of said members also having means for supportingmatches, one of said members having a slot and the other member acomplemental lug so constructed and arranged as to normally maintainsaid members in overlapped relation.

12. A match holder for cigarette packages comprising two flat membersseparably arranged with adjacent inner ends in overlapped relation, theouter end of one of said members having package-engaging hooks, saidmember having means to removably receive a match packet, the outer endof the other member also having means i'or releasably engaging saidpackage, one of said members having longitudinal flanges adapted toreceive and retain portions of a flexible match packet, and means forpositively and releasably maintaining said members in normallyoverlapped relation.

13. A match holder of the character described comprising two flatmembers separably arranged with adjacent inner ends in overlappedrelation, the outer end of one of said members having hook means adaptedto t between the adjacent portion of a package of cigarettes and thebandlike label which normally girds said packages, said member alsohaving a guard portion which overlaps the adjacent end of said package,said member also having parallel flanges ad-apted to engage portions ofthe flexible cover of a packet of matches, the outer end of the othermember having an angular portion at one end so positioned as to overlapthe adjacent end of said package, said angular portion having teetharranged to engage the package, the first mentioned member having one ormore transverse slots therein, and the second member having a tonguecomplemental to said slots, said tongue and slots being so constructedand arranged as to normally maintain said members in overlappedrelation, said second member having a portion of its edge provided witha finger engaging bowed portion.

CHARLES E. BERG.

